Question for the drinkers

[VanillaGorilla]

What are some of your favorite (and easiest) do-it-yourself drinks that you create using your own stuff and maybe stuff coped on board?

I'm a Vodka guy. I'll be taking some Vodka and some Apple Pucker to make Appletinis. I can also use the Pucker with cola to make, der, pucker and coke. A little OJ with the vodka for screwdrivers. Vodka and cranberry. What are your favorites for lightening up the drinking tabs while on board?

[Mrs Butterworth]

rum. rum & OJ, rum & coke, rum& pineapple, rum ice tea, rum lemonade and my favorite for breakfast, rum and milk.

[jcruise67]

We prefer champagne for Mimosas in the AM, and I bring aboard Kuluah for the DW and Captain Morgans For me. I drink beer by the pool all week and mixed drinks in the evening (Cabin, casino, clubs, bars, etc) Never beer with dinner.

John

[BobBeaSea]

As a vodka person you may try this. I will take a small jar of olives onboard, a plastic spoon and buy a bottle of vodka for cabin consumption. Combined with ice from the cabin ice bucket, you have your basic dirty martini. If you prefer soda or tonic take it with you or get room service to bring it. Not sure if they sell it the ship's store.

[VanillaGorilla]

Cool. Thanks.:D

[Lois R]

Hi:)...I am one of those cruisers who doesn't bring anything extra with me.....

I probably drink more in a week on a cruise ship than I do at home ....lets say in 6-9 month period of time;)

I love the flavored martinis before dinner.........I love a good MudSlide at the pool.....a nice wine with dinner.....oh I am just easy:D

[Cagey Cruiser]

Any problem bringing your own liquor on the ship?

[kdickers]

rum. rum & OJ, rum & coke, rum& pineapple, rum ice tea, rum lemonade and my favorite for breakfast, rum and milk.

Do they have pineapple juice aboard the Celebration?? Is it one of the "free" beverages??

I LOVE Captain Morgan Coconut Rum and pineapple juice so .. . I could bring a bottle of rum and be in TROPICAL HEAVEN!!!!

Kim

[mcboo]

Like Lois, I personally don't carry anything onboard.
But I do like to partake of the spirits.
Mojitos poolside made with fresh mint.
Apple Martini or dirty martini before dinner.
Chocolate Martini with dessert.
And finally Rumplemintz to settle the digestive system after all that food and booze.
McBoo:D:D:D:D

[ladycaveat]

I too am a vodka person and I do bring a bottle on board in my luggage . . . nothing like a good vodka and tonic to start the evening as one gets dressed for dinner!

[Ollie_WA]

I am also a vodka tonic drinker, but since I can't get tonic on the ship:eek: , and I fly into Miami from the West Coast, I don't carry any either. I like to get glasses of lemonade form the Windjammer and have Vodka & lemonade!!!:)

Ollie:p

[VanillaGorilla]

I am also a vodka tonic drinker, but since I can't get tonic on the ship:eek: , and I fly into Miami from the West Coast, I don't carry any either. I like to get glasses of lemonade form the Windjammer and have Vodka & lemonade!!!:)

Ollie:poh! vodka and lemonade. I never thought of that. That sounds good. Thanks for the idea.:D

[BobBeaSea]

Ollie WA, order a nice big pitcher of lemonade from room service-they will bring it. I might try lemonade with vodka.

[Ollie_WA]

Bobbeasea,

Now how simple is that?? I would have never even thought to do that....I just juggle 2 or 3 glasses down the stairs and back to my room!!:eek:

Thanks for the great tip:)

Ollie

[kcluvsdavid]

heheh..One cruise member suggested buying a bottle of mouthwash, dumping it and cleaning it really well then pouring any clear liquid in it. Then color it with green or blue food coloring. Can't smuggle 5 bottles of mouthwash and get away with it but you could use it as one of the bottles to smuggle on board. Aren't we BAD!

[kdickers]

Ollie WA, order a nice big pitcher of lemonade from room service-they will bring it. I might try lemonade with vodka.

Rum and lemonade is good too!!!!

Kim

[jcruise67]

For Vodake, use a big bottle of spring water. Also, I always buy the 1 and 2 gal. zip lock bags and place airport bottles of liquor in them.

John

[Krazy Kruizers]

We do not take alcohol onto a ship. But we buy alcohol from room service for cabin consumption. And we Absolutly love our vodka.

[VanillaGorilla]

For Vodake, use a big bottle of spring water. Also, I always buy the 1 and 2 gal. zip lock bags and place airport bottles of liquor in them.

JohnAh, mini's. Good idea.;)

[Northender]

We do not bring liquor on board. No need, drinks are not expensive. :)
We do, however, bring a bottle of wine each for our balcony sipping just before dinner or while sitting and enjoying the stars. :)
Now the coffee - that is another matter altogether (LOL) :eek:

[seabum]

If you are on carnival - they have free softserve ice cream.

We'd mix in some baileys (minis that we brought with us)

An amazing "frozen" drink poolside.

Also - you can order juices from room service free during breakfast. OJ and Cranberry - or Cran with grapefruit are both excellent (madras and seabreeze)

[kcluvsdavid]

$3.75+ is very expensive per drink IMO. We can't afford that. What are some other options. How much does it cost to buy voka on board? What about a cheap wine package. My problem with wine is that I like the cheap fruity stuff (like arbor vine) that cost $3.50-$4 per bottle. The more expensive stuff I do not like. SO I'm nervous about buying wine packages for that reason. I don't know very many wines and most of them I do not like.

The idea that Drinks are $5-7 average per drink per person is the reason some of us smuggle. That's way more than it cost to buy it at home and drink it.

[jcruise67]

I've actually boarded with beer and other alcohol on every cruise I've sailed. Never had a problem bringing it aboard in my carry-on. They make neat collapsable coolers that look like regular back packs too.

John

[VanillaGorilla]

$3.75+ is very expensive per drink IMO. We can't afford that. What are some other options. How much does it cost to buy voka on board? What about a cheap wine package. My problem with wine is that I like the cheap fruity stuff (like arbor vine) that cost $3.50-$4 per bottle. The more expensive stuff I do not like. SO I'm nervous about buying wine packages for that reason. I don't know very many wines and most of them I do not like.

The idea that Drinks are $5-7 average per drink per person is the reason some of us smuggle. That's way more than it cost to buy it at home and drink it.Exactly...my point too. I'll be buying some drinks on board, but I will need to spend far less by buffering my intoxication with my own stash. If someone else thinks I'm cheap for doing so, oh well, I could honestly care less. :D

[BobBeaSea]

Kdickers, drank a couple of gallons of rum and pineapple juice in the Dominican Republic last year- great stuff. Made with an amber or darker rum from the islands, Appletons or equivalent- add a hit of coconut and, voila!, instant heaven. For those who want to take their own alcohol, use large zip-lock bags then wrap in a tee shirt and stick in the middle of your suitcase. If your bag is opened and they take it, you will get it back at the end of the cruise. They can't open every bag, a lot is bound to get through. Personally I just buy it on the ship and pay the consumption fee and take it to my cabin. I need vodka and Baileys (morning coffee- so much better than cream and sugar), damn stuff is heavy to tote around in a suitcase.:)

[mlroberts23]

I heard a good idea for bringing Vodka. Get a big bottle of Clameye ( a canadian mixer that you cant find in the states i dont think. Dump half add vodka and poof pre mixed drink. The wont take away your mixer!!! (I HOPE):)

[kerry.johnson]

Wrap your booze bottles like presents and put them in a basket. Write a note: "A gift for room....whatever your room number is. It will be waiting in your room for you. Works every time!

[VanillaGorilla]

Wrap your booze bottles like presents and put them in a basket. Write a note: "A gift for room....whatever your room number is. It will be waiting in your room for you. Works every time!Genius!:D

[khcamp]

Wrap your booze bottles like presents and put them in a basket. Write a note: "A gift for room....whatever your room number is. It will be waiting in your room for you. Works every time!




Could you be more specific? I have only cruised once. Who do you give the basket to or do you carry it on yourself?

[khcamp]

Kdickers, drank a couple of gallons of rum and pineapple juice in the Dominican Republic last year- great stuff. Made with an amber or darker rum from the islands, Appletons or equivalent- add a hit of coconut and, voila!, instant heaven. For those who want to take their own alcohol, use large zip-lock bags then wrap in a tee shirt and stick in the middle of your suitcase. If your bag is opened and they take it, you will get it back at the end of the cruise. They can't open every bag, a lot is bound to get through. Personally I just buy it on the ship and pay the consumption fee and take it to my cabin. I need vodka and Baileys (morning coffee- so much better than cream and sugar), damn stuff is heavy to tote around in a suitcase.:)

What is a consumption fee? Are you able to buy a bottle on board and have it taken to your room?

[VanillaGorilla]

What is a consumption fee? Are you able to buy a bottle on board and have it taken to your room?From what everyone has told me or that I've read here on the forums, you can buy liqour on board, but they will not allow you to have it until the final evening of your cruise.

[heffa72]

Has anyone thought to bring a insullated mug with them on the cruise? I know when I went to an all inclusive on my honeymoon they recommend you bring one...so your drinks don't get warm and nasty as fast...thus preventing you from tossing a 1/2 full drink and wasting money!!?? Just a thought...(probalby not an original thought...but thought I'd throw that out there)....
:D

[VanillaGorilla]

Has anyone thought to bring a insullated mug with them on the cruise? I know when I went to an all inclusive on my honeymoon they recommend you bring one...so your drinks don't get warm and nasty as fast...thus preventing you from tossing a 1/2 full drink and wasting money!!?? Just a thought...(probalby not an original thought...but thought I'd throw that out there)....
:DYep, I've read that...but you never know when someone else may have missed something, so it's nice of you to mention it for those that might not have thought of it. Thanks. :D

[Ollie_WA]

VanillaGorilla,

On RCCL you can purchase liquor the first night and pay a one time in room consumption fee of $9.50..we purchased 3 large bottles of flavored Vodka, this was a special. We polished off 1 and took the other 2 home with us. No more sneaking liquor on the ship for us!

We also take insulated mugs with us...not just for alcoholic drinks but for ice cold lemonade!!

Hope this helps,
Ollie;)

[VanillaGorilla]

VanillaGorilla,

On RCCL you can purchase liquor the first night and pay a one time in room consumption fee of $9.50..we purchased 3 large bottles of flavored Vodka, this was a special. We polished off 1 and took the other 2 home with us. No more sneaking liquor on the ship for us!

We also take insulated mugs with us...not just for alcoholic drinks but for ice cold lemonade!!

Hope this helps,
Ollie;)Cool, Thanks :D . Maybe it was in the Carnival section that I read that. We are cruising with them on the Spirit this coming weekend.

[kerry.johnson]

When you get to the ship, they will take your luggage while you go through security. You do not have to carry anything into your room; it will be waiting for you.
We have been on four cruises and the gift thing has worked every time. Our travel agent gave us the idea. She gave us some of her business cards (or you can use any old business card) that we used as gift tags.
Last time we had two large bottles wrapped in gift paper, as well as some snacks. These were in a basket with the note: "a gift for room 6776." It was waiting for us. This time I am going to use a beach bag with booze, maybe a can of nuts, and a beach towel. That way, it looks like a gift and I can use it on the beach!

[Kay129]

what a great idea, wrapping the bottles as gifts.

i'm just confused - you checked them in w/ your luggage? or carried them on? sorry if the answer's obvious, it's been a long day :)

[VanillaGorilla]

what a great idea, wrapping the bottles as gifts.

i'm just confused - you checked them in w/ your luggage? or carried them on? sorry if the answer's obvious, it's been a long day :)I was thinking the same thing. I was just rubbing my hands together and bellowing out my best evil laugh like I just came upon the greatest secret ever...lol. Very good idea. I'm on it for sure.

[kerry.johnson]

In the past we've left it for the luggage guys with our other stuff. I guess you could carry it on too.

[kerry.johnson]

what a great idea, wrapping the bottles as gifts.

i'm just confused - you checked them in w/ your luggage? or carried them on? sorry if the answer's obvious, it's been a long day :)

:)
We have checked ours with our luggage, but I guess you could carry it on.

[kerry.johnson]

Is this really true? You can purchase liquor on board for room consumption on the first day? Just want to make sure before our cruise next week.
Thanks

[kerry.johnson]

VanillaGorilla,

On RCCL you can purchase liquor the first night and pay a one time in room consumption fee of $9.50..we purchased 3 large bottles of flavored Vodka, this was a special. We polished off 1 and took the other 2 home with us. No more sneaking liquor on the ship for us!

We also take insulated mugs with us...not just for alcoholic drinks but for ice cold lemonade!!

Hope this helps,
Ollie;)

:) Please confirm that this is true! We are going on a cruise on RCCL this sunday out of Florida and I would love to not have to carry booze on the ship.
This would be the answer to all of our problems. Is the $9.50 for each bottle, or the total?
Thanks

[Ollie_WA]

Kerry,

I am confirming that hubby & I did this last May on the RCCL Explorer. I plan on doing it again on the Navigator this July! We travel over 3000 miles to get to Miami, so the less stuff in my carry on, the better I am!! We do carry on, wine & champagne...one bottle of both. The $9.50 was for all the alcohol we bought at one time!!

I hope this helps, & have a fantastic Cruise...bon voyage!!!:)

Ollie

[BobBeaSea]

Kerry and Ollie, the $9.50 charge is per bottle. Sometimes on the FIRST day of your cruise they will give you a deal ie. $9.50 for what you buy that day. The rest of the week it is $9.50 per bottle unless you get a sympathetic service person. That is my understanding and I believe it to still be the case. :)

[Ollie_WA]

Originally Posted by Ollie_WA
VanillaGorilla,

On RCCL you can purchase liquor the first night and pay a one time in room consumption fee of $9.50..we purchased 3 large bottles of flavored Vodka, this was a special. We polished off 1 and took the other 2 home with us. No more sneaking liquor on the ship for us!

We also take insulated mugs with us...not just for alcoholic drinks but for ice cold lemonade!!

Hope this helps,
Ollie;)

Bob,
I did state that the first night it was $9.50 for whateever you bought. We never went back to the liquor store after the first night! What a deal!!!


Ollie

[BobBeaSea]

Ollie........oops:o

[Cruisin Together]

We are leaving March 13th on RCCL. I am going to bring some margarita mix and purchase the Tequila on the ship. We also plan on bringing big insulated mugs to mix the margarita's in and carry with us to the pool. I may even pack some lemons and limes:) Now that I think of it I do have some plastic margarita glasses that I can throw in my bag. This will be great when we are sitting on our balcony listening to Jimmy Buffet.;)

[hogwildcruzers]

I really like the coconut flavored rums, on the rocks, great while waiting ( for you know who to get ready) for dinner or relaxing on the balcony watching the sunset, etc,etc,etc. anyway I pour the clear colored rum into water bottles and just carry them on board with me;)

[Gail Johnson]

In the past we've left it for the luggage guys with our other stuff. I guess you could carry it on too.

Guys......we've sailed three times out of New Orleans and two of the three times our booze was taken from us and put in storage (security) until our return. We were told you could bring it with your carry on but it didn't pass the security at the port. You can bring in all the bottled water you want...a friend went on ship with a ice chest on wheels.....they took his booze and they were left with just water! We laughed all the way up the gangplank.
Perhaps you can bring it in checked luggage but we have NO experience with this. The $9.50 charge sounds good to me.
One other thing...It's EMBARRASSING when you are asked to STEP aside!http://boards.cruisecritic.com/images/icons/icon8.gif
Gail J.